Raiden would never admit it but his mood had definitely changed a bit once Raven was gone. Somehow that bird always seemed to lift his mood then leave him a bit broody when she left.
It was common knowledge that ravens were smart birds but his Raven was smarter. He had always questioned if Raven was a mage in disguise and even asked her about it once. Raven simply shook her head and squawked at him like he was crazy.
"Stop brooding Raiden, she will come around again." His best friend and second in command Jaxon teased.
Raiden snapped out of his thoughts and threw a balled up paper at his friend. "I am not brooding, brooding is part of your department." He replied earning a chuckle.
"Hey, the women love it when I am broody." Jaxon said dodging the wad of paper.
That earned him a snort as the third in command and final friend Trey piped in. "Is that why your tent is always so empty? Last women who walked in there was your sister."
Trey was a human whereas Jaxon was a mage. All three had grown up together seeing as their families had all been long serving high ranking military members. "Why you little..." Jaxon started as he went and tackled Trey.
The two began wrestling and it didn't take long for Raiden to get dragged into it. Being a werewolf he was stronger and faster, yet there was a reason he was the General. He had both men pinned in a few minutes.
"Uncle, uncle!" They both cried and he released them.
"Damn wolf strength," Trey pouted and Jaxon laid on the floor breathing heavily.
"It's no wonder we have a werewolf for a King. Seriously though Rai, I understand why you care for Raven but why does she affect your mood so much?"
Raiden sighed sitting up against the side of his tent. "I guess we sort of bonded the first time I met her and she saved my life. That was also the one time she stuck around for a while after I was safe. Each time after got shorter and shorter until she would leave basically once I was safe and alive. I honestly cannot explain it but I feel there is more to her than just feathers and saving my ass."
The guys chuckled shaking their heads. "I swear sometimes you just do dumb shit to see her." Jaxon said giving him a knowing look as he shrugged with a smirk.
"Can't say I haven't done that before but we are in the middle of a war. I am not afforded the luxury of near death experiences as too many lives are on the line." Trey nodded thinking for a few moments.
"You know I do recall reading something about animals helping people in times of need. I believe they were called Arkas or something. The last one was a fox but that was nearly a thousand years ago and shortly before the elves went extinct." Raiden and Jaxon looked at Trey before sharing a look.
"Can you gather everything possible about them?" Raiden asked his mind running through all the possibilities.
"You don't seriously think Raven is an Elf do you? They went extinct nearly a thousand years ago. If any were still alive I am sure someone would've seen them." Jaxon said always being the voice of reason.
Raiden just shrugged. "Who knows but if it is possible the elves somehow survived the plague and are alive their abilities are what could help us win the war."
Trey nodded. "Yes this is true as I read many elves had strong healing abilities, archery abilities, and even some had the ability to see the future. Arkas were extremely rare and basically would be called by someone's spirit in their time of need. There is more too it but I cannot remember."
Jaxon nodded knowing mages healing abilities only went so far. Before anyone could say any more on of the lead commanders walked in.
"Sorry to interrupt but the scouts just returned and a good sized vampire force is heading towards Noston." Jenny said and instantly all three went into battle mode.
"We need to cut them off. Have everyone packed up and ready to move within the next two hours quicker if possible. Noston is one of our troops main supply routes. Send runners to any nearby troops to meet us there." Raiden ordered and she nodded before leaving.
"Seems like we may be seeing Raven sooner than expected." Jaxon said and Raiden sighed.
"I hope not but if these numbers are anything to go by then she may make an appearance." He replied looking at the scouts notes.
Raven was currently pushing the food around her plate as everyone around her chatted happily. Being the Arsha meant she never had friends growing up. Most people only wanted to be her friend for the power and status of being close with the Arsha. She had been the first in a millennium and her calling was stronger than any other before her.
Only her mother knew that her callings did not just extended to other tribes hidden away across the world but werewolves, mages, and humans. It had been difficult with the war happening as she received callings at least every few weeks if not once a week.
Raiden however was her first calling. She had only been seven when it happened but had already transformed into a Raven at only a few days old. It was how she got her name but that day had been different. Just as she was about to get sucked down memory lane hearing her name snapped her out of her thoughts.
"So Raven are you excited for the Crescent moon?" Their tribe leader Warren asked nudging his son.
Victor turned his attention away from the women he was talking to and gave Raven a perfect smile. The surrounding women swooned but her stomach turned at the sight.
"Not particularly," she mumbled knowing she could not lie.
Several gasps were heard and Warren looked at her shocked before replacing it with a smile. "Seems our little bird is nervous. Not to worry dear Raven, Victor will make an excellent husband and you two will keep the elven bloodline strong."
Her stomach turned even more and she gripped her dress tightly underneath the table. She knew in cases like this it was better to say nothing then to speak and be punished. She would never forget the first time she was punished when she returned after saving Raiden for the first time. She had been so enchanted by the outside world and its people she stayed nearly two weeks after he had been safe.
She had been branded at only seven years old and it was a mark she carried to this day. She subconsciously rubbed her wrist and her mother gently placed her hand on hers stopping her. "Are you worried that the war outside is drawing closer and closer to us?" She spoke distracting everyone.
Soon enough the conversation and eyes left Raven. She gave her mother a thankful smile. Some times she truly hated what she was because she never had a choice. If she ignored callings she would feel the pain of people dying and be sick for days to weeks afterwards. She couldn't lie her way out of anything and her tribe was forcing her to marry a man she wanted nothing to do with. Raven longed to explore the outside world and show them that elves still existed.
But to do that would be a death sentence as she had been told since a child her life depended on returning to the tribe and healing from its roots.
The week passed by much faster than she had hoped and soon enough she was being dragged to have her white hair styled and make up put on. Raven felt as if she would puke at any moment wishing for anything to stop this day from happening.
She did however get her wish as she felt the familiar hum of a calling. Her grey eyes began to glow and everyone froze. "Everyone out," her mother ordered and quickly rushed to close and lock the door.
She cupped her daughters face as tears welled in her eyes. "Go Raven, go to this calling and do not return."
Raven was shocked and confused. "But mother they said..." She started only for her mother to cut her off.
"I know what they said but unlike you they can lie. Your life does not depend on these people or this tribe it depends on your gift. Now go before they realize you received a calling and try and close the exit. Go before you are stuck with that bastard for eternity. I love you and I will see you again one day my beautiful bird." Tears streamed from her eyes as she nodded and backed up towards the window.
"I love you mother." She whispered before transforming and flying as fast as she could out of the mountain.
Shouts were heard as they tried to stop her and she barely avoided several nets. When she hit the fresh air and sunshine outside of the mountain she let out a loud call before racing towards the calling.
When she arrived she was shocked to see such a bloody battle. Vampires, werewolves, humans, and mages were all clashed in a ferocious battle. Raven perched on a branch to stunned to move for a moment. Then the familiar hum grew stronger snapping her out of her stupor.
She turned her head to see a majestic yet vicious black wolf tearing through vampires. She knew instantly it was Raiden and he had some minor injuries but that is not what caught her eye. There was a vampire creeping up on the unsuspecting wolf with a sharp dagger.
Without wasting a second she took flight and swooped at the vampire letting out a loud kraa. Raiden instantly recognized the sound and his head snapped just in time to see her scratch the vampire in the face.
Raven never truly condoned violence and it was not in her nature but her nature was to protect. She knew she had to do whatever it took to protect Raiden as her calling was never wrong. The vampire hissed and swung the blade wildly. Raiden rushed over and clamped his jaws around the arm holding the blade before severing it and going in for the killing blow.
Raven stuck by the battlefield helping those that her calling called out for. Soon enough the vampires retreated and were followed by howls and shouts of victory. Raven felt herself letting out a loud cheerful squawk before landing in front of Raiden.
He shifted back into his human form and held out his arm. She instantly hopped up and he stroked her. "You are always saving me whether I know I need it or not." He said smiling only for it to fall a moment later.
Raven let out a pained sound as she hopped away from him. When he had stroked her wing his hand came away bloody. Raven looked between his hand and her side as she started to feel the wound.
"Raven," he called calmly but inside his heart was ready to beat out his chest.
She took off flying towards his camp and he rushed to follow. Jaxon and Trey saw him running after her and knew by the look on his face something was wrong. They barked out orders before following after him.
Much to his surprise Raven flew into his tent and he quickly went in behind her. He was breathing heavily as he watched her hop around a few times before she fell to her side. Raven squeezed her eyes shut in pain knowing what would happen next.
"Raven?!" He shouted kneeling beside her. "What can I do? Tell me how to help?" He asked panicked not thinking about how he was talking to a bird.
Raven closed her eyes as she knew she was about to break every rule she was ever taught. "S-Stand back," she croaked out and his eyes widened shocked.
He stumbled backwards and as soon as he did she transformed back into her natural form. Raiden was beyond shocked when Raven turned from a bird into a person. He watched the black feathers fade away into smooth porcelain skin. Her white hair was still in its intricate braids but several strands came loose. The most shocking however were her sharp yet delicate features and pointed ears.
"Y-You're an Elf," he stated and she nodded gripping her bloody side.
"Yes.., I am Raven..., it's good... to meet... you." She groaned before passing out.